Oct. 20 Alabama Fall Open Scout Analysis: Catchers

Wyatt Miskelly (2020, C, Shelby County) At the plate, the ‘20 grad started with the feet even in the stance and a fairly level swing path. The hands showed some quickness as he handled balls well on the inner half but showed pop to the backside gap. Compact approach but keeps the barrel in the hitting zone for a long time. Very athletic behind the plate showing nice flexibility in the hips and throws to 2B stayed on line and the ball carried well out of the hand. Pop time as low as 2.00.   

Alex Johnson (2022, C/1B, Albertville) Physical ‘22 catcher that moves well behind the plate and shows solid catch and throw skills. Appears very comfortable  behind the plate and the arm strength is nice. The throws stay on line to the bag and he showed nice accuracy with a pop time as low as 2.00. Did a nice job receiving pitches as well. At the plate, started with an open stance with the feet and the hands set high. Showed some juice to the pull side from a tilted swing plane and there is some present strength in the hands. An interesting ‘22 to keep an eye on. 

Jacob Huff (2020, C/OF, McGill Toolen) ’20 grad that doubles as a C/OF. In the outfield Huff showed solid footwork and really worked through ground balls well. The OF velocity was 80 mph with a quick transfer and accurate throws to the plate. Behind the plate, the physical Huff again showed nice arm strength and clean catch and throw skills on accurate throws to the bag. Offensively he was 93 mph exit velocity off a tee and that carried over to his BP round as he showed some nice juice to the pull side while creating some back spin off the barrel. Slightly open stance with the feet and a simple, quiet approach on the front side. The barrel stays through the zone a long time and the swing path has some tilt in it. Also a good runner (6.79 60)

Cade Carr (2023, SS/C, Hoover) Nice looking young player that impressed behind the plate and at SS. In the dirt, the feet and the hands work very well and he showed natural actions on ground balls. Very athletic set up with the glove and did a nice job moving through ground balls. Quick transfer and nice arm strength for a young player. Behind the plate, he showed advanced catch and throw skills and everything was smooth and natural for him. Was as low as 2.01 pop time. The ball came out of the hand well and he also showed solid fundamentals on balls in the dirt. At the plate the feet started slightly open and showed a repeatable swing throughout his round with a definite middle of the field approach. The approach is short and compact and the hands work well. Does a nice job with the top hand and shows some slight tilt in the swing plan. A very impressive ‘23 to follow. 

Eli Langlands (2022, C/3B, Smiths Station) Slightly open stance with the feet and a small leg kick approach consistently produced tilted line drives off the barrel in BP. Love how he kept the barrel on the ball through the hitting zone and he got very nice extension through the swing. Does a nice job using his lower half as he showed a mostly middle of the field approach. Throws to the 2B bag were accurate and there was no tail on the throws. The transfer was quick and the arm strength will improve as the young ‘22 matures physically. Showed nice flexibility in the hips as well.